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Several Denver Nuggets ready, willing to step up their game

By Christopher DempseyThe Denver Post

Posted:
10/07/2013 12:01:00 AM MDT

Updated:
10/07/2013 11:37:08 AM MDT

Ty Lawson

LOS ANGELES — Nuggets center JaVale McGee was on his last-one-out grind. On Tuesday: free throws well after most everyone left the Pepsi Center practice court. On Thursday, post-practice offensive work, followed by full-court sprints with assistant coach Patrick Mutombo.

It is all by design.

No one does everything right in the first week of training camp, but McGee is going after it, from improving his skills on the low block to getting a better handle on his conditioning. The seriousness of his approach is in stark contrast to a year ago, when his sluggish training camp cost him a starting job — and ultimately significant playing time — just weeks after he signed a four-year, $44 million contract extension.

This McGee doesn't resemble that McGee. And for Nuggets first-year coach Brian Shaw, who wants to play inside-out on offense, it's a good sign. For an organization that desperately wants its faith, and investment, in McGee to be validated, it's a good sign.

McGee is eager to show he is much more than a player who had become largely expendable by last season's playoffs.

"That's exactly what I'm trying to show," McGee said. "What people didn't believe I could do is possible."

McGee is not alone. A host of players on the Nuggets roster have a chip on their shoulder, for one reason or another, eager to show the new coaching staff they can fit whatever role they are asked to fill.

For McGee, it's proving he's deserving of starting, and getting major minutes. For point guard Ty Lawson, it's proving he can expand his offensive game, run an efficient half-court offense and oh, yeah, be a better leader. For newcomer Nate Robinson, it's playing well enough to find a home in the NBA, having been with four teams since the 2010-11 season.

All say they are ready to show they can be more versatile, more productive, more adaptable than they feel they've been given credit for entering camp.

JaVale McGee of Denver Nuggets makes a basket during the team practice at Pepsi Center.

Lawson, despite his successes, has his critics.

He continues to work on a pull-up jumper, his biggest offensive weakness. For a player with his speed who screams down the lane in a blur and keeps defenders on their heels, it could become his deadliest shot. How many defenders can contest a shot when, in a split second, Lawson stops and pops? How many can get out of a defensive slide and get a hand in his face? Very few.

But it's his responsibility running the team that weighs most on Lawson's mind.

"Everybody thinks that because I'm a fast point guard that I can't run a half-court offense," Lawson said. "You know, off the pick-and-roll and things like that I think I can execute with the best of them. I can show that this year."

Nate Robinson signed a two-year deal with the Denver Nuggets in free agency. (Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post)

As for Robinson, he's proven in his eight NBA seasons he has an insatiable desire to play. And yet he keeps getting shuffled to a new team, the Nuggets his sixth. The Nuggets signed him for two seasons, provided he picks up his player option at the end of this season, but he has said he wants "a home."

Right now, his burden of proof is showing the Nuggets he has a long-term future as a sub who provides energy, scoring and hustle.

Meanwhile, McGee's upside after a couple of stellar performances in the 2012 playoffs in a first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers convinced the Nuggets to reward him with a huge contract.

Yet, he was an afterthought most of last season, partially because the previous coaching staff didn't believe he could contribute much at the offensive end.

"I definitely have post-up moves; I can post up," McGee said. "It's just the opportunities weren't there last year."

The Nuggets' JaVale McGee, Ty Lawson and Nate Robinson are out to show new coach Brian Shaw they will do whatever they can to raise their game. Here's a look at the trio:

JaVale McGee, C | The 7-footer is all but assured of being a starter, but after averaging a little more than 18 minutes per game a season ago, he needs to show better conditioning and offensive skills to stay on the court.

Ty Lawson, PG | Lawson said he believes he can eventually be an all-star. Under Shaw, he has to show he can lead the team running a half-court set as well as a fast break. And, his shooting needs to improve.

Nate Robinson, G | The sparkplug was signed in the offseason to provide energy and points. Robinson wants more, a chance to prove he should be in Denver for the long haul.

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